Royal British Legion: Harwell Branch

Remembrance

Remembrance Sunday Parade and Armistice Day 2022

by Filed Under: Remembrance-Sunday

On Sunday 13th November Harwell Village recognised the annual Remembrance with a Parade along the Village High Street to the War Memorial where a Commemorative Service was held.

The Parade marched from Townsend to the War Memorial in the High Street and included members of the RBL, Harwell Parish Council and Local representatives from the VOWH DC, local organisations, Didcot Cadet Forces (Army and Air) Scouts and Guides.

The village population was well represented with the public filling the pavements and surrounding space, with estimates around 1000 attending in total.  The Service at the War Memorial was conducted by Rev. Rob Thomas, Mr John MacFarlane-Horgan played the Bagpipes which accompanied the Parades arrival at the Memorial and the laying of the wreaths with Dr Tony Hughes playing the Last Post to signify the start and end of the two-minute silence.

Thanks are due to Allan Macarthur and Phil Johnston for organising the sound system and to Mike and Anita Pepper for distributing the service sheets to the congregation

A collection for the Poppy Appeal went around ahead and after the service and raised £171.83, and thanks should go to Mrs Hazel Benton and Ms Tracey Pearson for their part in walking around with the collection buckets.

The event was honoured by the attendance of the King’s representative, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Angus Horner, who lead the laying of the Wreaths, and was followed by VOWH DC, Harwell Parish Council, Royal British Legion Harwell Branch, The Harwellian Club, Didcot Detachment Army Cadets, 2410 (Didcot) Sqn Air Cadets, Harwell Scouts the Milbrook Girl Guides.

Following the service, Angus Horner offered some poignant words on Remembrance and the local connection to WWII with the village’s proximity to the former RAF Harwell airfield which played its part in the war effort. After which the Parade marched to St Matthew’s Church, where upon the arrival the Standards formed a Guard of Honour at the entrance to the Church. Rev Pam Rolls joined by Rev Jan Radford took the service

After the Church Service, the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant, Harwell Parish Chairman and Parish Council representative joined the  RBL Branch Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary by attending the War Memorial at the Commonwealth War Graves in Harwell Cemetery where a wreath was laid.

Further photos of the event can be found via the following links

Harwell RBL Parades Facebook Page

Simon Haycox, flickr.com Album

Bob Girling, smugmug.com Album

Armistice Day

A short commemoration was held at the High Street War Memorial. About 40 people attended, together with members of Harwell School Council, the Head Teacher and the School Business Manager, and members of the Harwell Branch RBL.

The High Street was closed by the Parish Council grounds staff.

Branch Chairman Reginald White conducted the Ceremony and recited the Exhortation and Kohima Epitaph. The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by Dr. Tony Hughes and the Two Minutes Silence was observed. The Chairman thanked all present for their attendance

 

Any questions regarding either event can be directed to the Branch Ceremonial Officer, Peter Davies using harwell.committee1@rbl.community

 

 

2022 D-Day Commemoration Service 4th June

by Filed Under: D-Day

The annual D-Day Service held at the Harwell Stone returned on Saturday 4th June after a three year gap from its full format as a result of the pandemic. There was a virtual event in 2020, and live streamed minimal attendee event in 2021 so while Acts of Remembrance did continue throughout the pandemic, all were pleased to see a return to the full format permitting attendance in person.

Despite the clash with HM Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend the event was well attended, by local dignitaries, veterans and youth groups and local residents.

[Read more…] about 2022 D-Day Commemoration Service 4th June

D-Day Commemoration Service – Recorded Service

by Filed Under: D-Day

Please follow the link below to watch the recording og the D-Day Commemoration Service on Saturday 5th June at 1730

Thanks to Mr Allan Macarthur for setting this up for us and for completing the filming.

Photos Courtesy of Bob Girling

Branch Chairman Reg White, Branch Ceremonial Officer Peter Davies and Branch President Reg East
Branch President Reg East, Rev Pam Rolls, Branch Chairman Reg White and Branch Ceremonial Officer, Peter Davies
Branch Chairman Reg White, Rev Pam Rolls and Branch President Reg East

2021 D Day Service

by Filed Under: D-Day, Remembrance

We hoped the Parade would be returning in its usual format in 2021 following the cancelled event in 2020 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and the virtual event in its place. Although Government restrictions have been lifting in March, April and May, there remains a maximum gathering size of 30 by Saturday 5th June.

With such a limited on the numbers available to invite, the Branch have decided to hold a much smaller event with ~12 persons as an agree “minimum” to offer suitable respect to the event. These persons have been invited and will be meeting for a smaller event on Saturday evening however those wishing to attend can do so via a planned live stream a link of which will be shared once made available.

Any persons or organisations who wish to pay their respects are asked to do so after 1800hrs on Saturday 5th June, wreaths are available directly from the RBL via https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/wreaths

Remembrance Sunday 8th November 2020

by Filed Under: Remembrance, Remembrance-Sunday

Remembrance Sunday Ceremony:
With the Covid-19 pandemic influencing us all, there was the expected impact upon annual November Remembrance commemorations, however Harwell Branch of the RBL were keen that the event was still recognised, in line with Government guidelines and consultation with the Parish Council. A smaller service took place to lay wreaths at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site in the Village Cemetery, in attendance, alongside Rev Jonathan Mobey taking the Service were;
Cllr Debbie Turner, Parish Council Chairman,
Maj Ingleby Representative of 11 EOD&S Regiment, Vauxhall Barracks,
Reg East, President of the Harwell Branch, RBL
Dr A Hughes, Bugler
And Mr Allan Macarthur, Camera operator who set up a Live Stream via Youtube for the community to watch from home.
Wreaths were laid by the attending representatives with others laid by groups after the formal event, including the Vale of the White Horse District Council, 2410 Sqn Didcot Air Cadets and the 1st Harwell Scouts.

Click here to see the ceremony (YouTube recording).

Armistice Day:

The National 2 minutes silence held on 11th November fell victim to the Covid-19 pandemic as did all other events. Despite this, President of the Harwell Branch RBL joined by Dr A Hughes to play the Bugle were in place at the Village War Memorial in the High Street for the silence at 11 o’clock.